West Ham United have seen numerous players come and go over the past few years, either on loan or permanent deals.

However, with the upcoming summer transfer window on the horizon, it seems as though the Hammers may have a challenge on their hands to keep hold of one of their key figures.

What's the news?

According to club insider ExWHUemployee on his podcast (West Ham Zone), fellow Premier League side Newcastle United are interested in making a transfer move to sign Irons full-back Ben Johnson.

Despite this, Ex also claimed that the east London club are still in talks with the player over a potential new contract.

As a product of West Ham's youth system, the defender has made a combined total of 75 appearances for their under-18 and under-23 sides, scoring one goal and providing six assists along the way.

Back in February 2019, Johnson made his senior debut for the club in a 1-0 defeat against Manchester City under former Hammers boss Manuel Pellegrini. Since then, the 22-year-old has gone on to make  50 senior appearances for Moyes' side, scoring two goals in the process.

To highlight how important the former youth prospect has become for the team, particularly in a defensive sense, he has averaged 1.8 tackles, 1.3 interceptions and 2.5 clearances per Premier League game this season, putting him in the top five players in Moyes' squad for each statistic.

Fans would be fuming

Labelled a "sensational" player by Ex, it would surely be a major disaster from GSB to even consider selling Johnson this summer, particularly to another Premier League club.

Given how he is a shining example of a youth player working his way through the ranks at West Ham to become a key first-team figure, it's safe to say that plenty of supporters at the London Stadium would be fuming if Johnson were to be sold any time soon.

With that in mind, securing the defender to a new long-term contract should be at the top of the club's priority list to ward off any interest from elsewhere.

In other news: West Ham can seal dream deal as bid plotted for £25m gem with a “foot like a magic wand”